Walmart to hire 20,000 workers to help supply chain

Walmart said Wednesday that it plans to hire 20,000 employees to help move merchandise ahead of the expected holiday shopping rush.

The big box retailer, which is already the nation’s largest employer, said the roles would be in the supply chain. The jobs will be a mix of full time and part time, but will be permanent positions. They range from order pickers to material handlers in the company’s more than 250 distribution centers, distribution centers and transportation offices.

The average salary for a supply chain associate is $ 20.37 an hour, Walmart said in the company’s blog. The company has announced that it will be holding special hiring events on September 8 and 9.

Walmart is hiring staff as companies face fierce competition for workers and Covid-19 outbreaks that have halted manufacturing, slowed shipments and led to congested ports around the world. These challenges have resulted in delays, out-of-stock items and higher prices across the industry. They also raised questions about whether retailers will be prepared for peak gift season, especially since these purchases take place online.

Walmart has yet to announce any hiring plans for the vacations. Last year, the retailer announced it would hire 20,000 seasonal associates, the first time in five years that it had announced a major vacation hire.

The company has also stepped up investments in the supply chain, such as adding high-tech automated systems to some stores that help pick and pack grocery orders online.

Walmart said in August that it saw strong demand for back-to-school supplies, luggage, clothing and more, as consumers flocked to stores. CFO Brett Biggs said on a second quarter earnings call that the company has increased ordering times and chartered its own dedicated vessels to speed up imports. Even so, he said, “stockouts in some categories of general merchandise are above normal, given strong sales and supply constraints.”

As Walmart competes with other employers for hourly workers, it has sought to soften the deal. It recently started paying special bonuses to warehouse workers and covering 100% of employees’ tuition and textbooks.

Other retailers have announced similar benefits and policy changes. Among them, Target has launched its own debt-free college program. CVS Health and Walgreens Boots Alliance have said they will increase their starting salary to $ 15 an hour, and CVS has said it will drop training requirements for entry-level jobs.